Game Theory: A Very Short Introduction

Ken Binmore

Explores the hot topic of Game theory--a relatively new discipline that has seen spectacular successes in evolutionary biology and economics, and is beginning to revolutionize other disciplines from psychology to political science.

Written by a renowned game theorist and mathematician, who explains the theory in a way that is both fun and non-mathematical yet also deeply insightful.

Offers wide coverage--Binmore reveals how game theory not only provides deep scientific and philosophical insights, but also offers valuable and enjoyably insights into everyday life, from social gatherings to ethical decision-making to gambling.

Explains why John Nash, whose life story was told in the film A Beautiful Mind, won a Nobel prize, and includes mini-biographies of other fascinating, and occasionally eccentric, founders of the subject.

Part of the bestselling Very Short Introductions series - millions of copies sold worldwide

Game Theory: A Very Short Introduction

Ken Binmore

Description

Games are everywhere: Drivers maneuvering in heavy traffic are playing a driving game. Bargain hunters bidding on eBay are playing an auctioning game. The supermarket's price for corn flakes is decided by playing an economic game. This Very Short Introduction offers a succinct tour of the fascinating world of game theory, a ground-breaking field that analyzes how to play games in a rational way. Ken Binmore, a renowned game theorist, explains the theory in a way that is both entertaining and non-mathematical yet also deeply insightful, revealing how game theory can shed light on everything from social gatherings, to ethical decision-making, to successful card-playing strategies, to calculating the sex ratio among bees. With mini-biographies of many fascinating, and
occasionally eccentric, founders of the subject--including John Nash, subject of the movie A Beautiful Mind--this book offers a concise overview of a cutting-edge field that has seen spectacular successes in evolutionary biology and economics, and is beginning to revolutionize other disciplines from psychology to political science.

About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given topic. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in
question, demonstrating how it has developed and influenced society. Whatever the area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates the reader, the series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.